Cornell University

Computer Science at Cornell University

Cornell University offers its students four options for studying computer science with an undergraduate degree, two master’s degrees, and one doctoral program. Opportunities for graduates of Cornell computer science programs include jobs in computational finance, hardware development, biotechnology, business management & consulting, and many other fields. Within the Computer Science programs, students will learn about topics like software development, cybersecurity, and related subjects. Students with interest in using algorithms, systems, and scientific methods within the realm of computer science can also choose the Master of Professional Studies in Applied Statistics, which will introduce topics like high-performance computing, databases, scripting, applied statistical analysis, and data science.

One of the unique features of the undergraduate program in computer science is that students can enroll through the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Engineering. The student’s choice will impact the classes he or she takes to complete the degree. Within the program, students will take classes on subjects that include physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and computer science. Computer science topics covered in the university’s undergraduate programs include discrete structures, operating systems, the theory of algorithms, digital systems, and data structures. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in graduate-level study may choose from the Master of Engineering program in Computer Science or the Master of Science in Computer Science program.

The Master of Engineering program is designed for professionals who want to complete a degree in two semesters. The program is appropriate for many types of professionals including those interested in building their technical expertise, as well as those interested in utilizing computer science in a field like civil engineering, sociology, or chemistry. Meanwhile, the Master of Science in Computer Science is a four-semester program that has very high application requirements and is very selective in its admissions. Students must complete 34 credit hours to receive their MS in Computer Science. Students who receive a graduate degree in computer science may want to explore the Computer Science Ph.D. program at Cornell University since it’s considered one of the top six programs in the world with a student-to-faculty ratio of just 3:1.

Students who decide to major in statistics will often take classes that overlap with the required curriculum for computer science students. The university’s College of Engineering is interdisciplinary in nature, and students should expect to take foundational courses in engineering, math, and science as they begin their work toward a statistics degree. Cornell University doesn’t generally offer its computer science and data science classes online, but classes are occasionally available through Cornell Online through professional education opportunities and certificate programs.

About Cornell University

Cornell University was founded in 1865 by Andrew Dickson White and Ezra Cornell. The university is an Ivy League school located in Ithaca, New York with around 23,600 students attending classes. The school is arranged in fourteen divisions that span undergraduate and graduate-level work. Each college and division within the university defines its own admission standards and has complete control over the design of the academic programs housed within each department. Cornell University is a private school with an estimated endowment of more than seven billion dollars. The school’s official colors are carnelian and white, and the school’s mascot is Touchdown the Bear. The school has graduated more than 55 Nobel laureates and has more than 245,000 alumni.

Cornell University Accreditation Details

The regional accrediting agency for Cornell University is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The university has maintained accreditation since 1921 and most recently underwent reaccreditation in 2016. There are 21 programs at Cornell University that have also received specialized or professional accreditation. Programs accredited include the Applied Economics and Management programs, which have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the program in Landscape Architecture, which has been accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board. Other agencies that have accredited programs include the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, and the Liason Committee on Medical Education.

Cornell University Application Requirements

Cornell University shares that its computer science program is routinely ranked in the top five programs in the world and that admission is highly competitive. To apply to a program in the Department of Computer Science, students will apply to the university through the school’s undergraduate admissions office and then apply separately to the College of Art & Sciences or the College of Engineering. Students will decide on which college to apply to based on the curriculum that interests them most since the programs have different liberal arts requirements outside of the standard computer science core. To gain full acceptance to the computer science program, students must complete prerequisite courses that include Object-Oriented Programming & Data Structures, Calculus, and Discrete Structures.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition at Cornell University is estimated at $54,818 with some students paying a resident rate of $36,798 when they enroll in a State Contract College within the university. The college estimates that students will pay $15,136 for health-related expenses, dining costs, and housing. Books, supplies, and miscellaneous costs are estimated to cost $2,800 per year. Students who are enrolled in programs offered by the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning may pay more because of program-specific costs for Landscape Architecture, Fiber Science & Apparel Design, and Design & Environmental Analysis degrees. To calculate the cost of attendance, students should take the estimated cost of attendance and subtract grants and gift aid from Cornell, Work-Study awards, and student loans.

The university will look at the total household income of the student and create a financial aid award that takes into account how much the student’s family can pay. On average, Cornell grant awards for first-year students are more than $40,000, and some students receive as much as $76,000 to help with their first year of college. Students who want to qualify for financial aid at Cornell University will need to submit their FAFSA form in advance of enrolling for classes. Students may apply for subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans through the federal student loan program, as well as apply for private student loans if they need additional money to pay for tuition costs. Students interested in computer science programs from the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University may qualify for grants and institutional aid to help pay for their degree.